Death Valley National Park (Death Valley National Park, California)

On our way to Las Vegas for a getaway weekend, we decided to drive the length of Death Valley National Park and take in some of the awe-inspiring landscape.

Upon entering the northern end of the park, we were both awed by the stark landscape; not to mention the noticeable increase in air temperature. Very shortly, we came upon Scotty’s Castle, a ranch home of extravagant proportions, which was built in the 1920’s. Unfortunately, we arrived a few minutes too late for the tour; next time.

Continuing on into the park, we proceeded into a contradictory panoramic view. An amazingly beautiful desert terrain lay before us with dark storm clouds sitting atop the peaks on the horizon. It made for an amazing sunset on the way out of the park.

Before exiting though, we walked out onto the salt flats at Badwater Basin, the lowest point in the United States at 282 feet below sea level. This is only too emphasized on the way back to the jeep by a sign labeled “Sea Level” perched far above us on the overlooking mountainside.

Alas, our short visit came to an end as the last remnants of daylight left us, but we were blessed with what must have been a truly rare occurrence in this desolate place on our way out of the park – a few raindrops to renew life in this beautifully dry world.